Windows On the World Complete Wine Course: 2001 Edition: A Lively Guide

The best beginner's book on wines...just keeps on getting better all the time! "One of the best start-from-scratch wine books ever written," wrote Frank Prial in The New York Times, praising this unique and unequalled guide that does far more than just tell you which red to drink with meat and which white with fish. And now, with 16 more pages, additional questions

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Overview

The best beginner's book on wines...just keeps on getting better all the time! "One of the best start-from-scratch wine books ever written," wrote Frank Prial in The New York Times, praising this unique and unequalled guide that does far more than just tell you which red to drink with meat and which white with fish. And now, with 16 more pages, additional questions answered, new labels, and revised vintages, America's top-selling book on wine has just expanded its scope! As always, it remains packed with full-color labels and maps, puts forward the most up-to-date recommendations, showcases fascinating sidebars, and best of all, features Kevin Zraly's inimitable, irreverent approach. Universally praised by wine experts and novices alike, this unbeatable "course" answers all your questions and starts you on your way to becoming a wine connoiseur. Go through the tasting process, from swirling the glass to sniffing to sipping, know when a wine is at its peak for drinking, and what to look for on a label. Take a country-by-country, region-by-region "best-buy" ratings tour of the latest vintages-whites, reds, and blended wines (champagne, sherry, and port) from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, California, the Pacific Northwest, New York, Australia, and two of the newest, hottest countries, Chile and Argentina. You'll love Zraly's lighthearted style, his glossary of wine terms, his award-winning restaurant wine lists, his advice on matching wine with food, and his tips on stocking and serving wine at home, ordering it in restaurants, and more. A uniquely intoxicating trek through the world of wine!Since the terrorist attachs, Sterling is contributing money for every copy sold to the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund established by restaurant owner David Emil and Chef Michael Lomonaco. "Sterling has had a relationship with the Windows on the World family and Kevin Zraly since 1985, and we are devastated by the losses they have sustained. We hope in some way that this donation wil lhelp the families of the victims..."--Charles Nurnberg, Sterling Eexecutive Vice President.

Editorial Reviews

Kate Murphy Zeman

Kevin Zraly is the creator of one of the most famous wine lists in existence: that of the Windows on the World restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center in New York City. He is also the founder and instructor of the acclaimed Windows on the World Wine School. In his highly readable bookfor years recommended by wine writers, producers, and sommeliers as the best, least intimidating book for anyone interested in learning more about wineZraly takes the reader on a tour of the great wine-producing regions of the world.

Incorporating such useful visual elements as maps, charts, and images of wine labels, Zraly starts with basics such as what kinds of grapes go into wine, how weather affects the harvest, and how to taste wine. Then, in an affable, question-and-answer format, Zraly explores both the red and white wine regions of France, Germany, California, Italy, Spain, and Australia, with detours to Washington, Oregon, and New York State. In each section, he explains which grapes are used in the region's important wines, gives advice on the best wines to buy and what to serve them with, notes trends over the last decade, and explains how to get the most information from wine labels. He also includes very useful sections on special wines like Champagne, Sherry, and Port, with advice on buying, storing, and serving. Sections on matching wine with food, ordering from restaurant wine lists, starting a wine cellar, and even creating a wine list for a restaurant are included as well.

In this year's edition, Zraly has updated his specific wine recommendations, his "Best Bets for Recent Vintages" information, and added new sections reflecting recent wine trends. For instance, in California, more acres are planted in Zinfandel grapes than any other variety (the infamous white Zinfandel is the largest-selling varietal wine in the U.S.), but Merlot has seen the fastest rate of new plantings over the past five years. Zraly predicts that California winemakers will continue to experiment with grape varieties like Syrah, Sangiovese, and Grenache.

Throughout Windows on the World Wine Course, Zraly makes it clear that there's no need to be intimidated by wine, whether you're buying an expensive bottle for a special occasion or looking for a fair price on a casual wine from a restaurant wine list. All you need is a basic understanding and a willingness to listen to your own tastebuds. This lively and practical book will help anyone interested in learning more about wine become an enthusiastic and informed wine lover.

Kate Murphy Zeman

USA Today

A thoroughly user-friendly overview that asks and answers all the right questions.

House Beautiful

. . .a terrific gift.

New York Times Book Review

An elegant smorgasbord. . . One of the best start-from-scratch wine books ever written. . .If you have never bought a wine book before, start with this one. If you have a roomful of wine books, get this one anyway. It's a whole new way to look at the subject.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Windows on the World Complete Wine Course 3.7 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
72 reviews.

Vivi45

More than 1 year ago

A book worth buying and using as reference over and over.
Helps the non-educated wine lover how to pair wines or simply purchase a bottle to drink with a friend or alone!

ElaineCO

More than 1 year ago

I have quite a number of books about wine and consistently find this the most comprehensive and accessible for avid but non-professional wine enthusiasts like myself. I buy the new edition each year and there's always a friend waiting to take the previous year's copy off my hands. Highly recommended.

edlohmann

More than 1 year ago

This is an invaluable source of information about wine, both for beginners and those who are wine lovers in an easy to read and understandable format. However, Mr. Zraly failed to "mention" the TRUE American grape -NORTON- that is a native to Virginia and is also grown in Missouri. I would highly encourage Mr. Zraly to visit Chrysalis Vineyard in Middleburg, Virginia and become aquainted with this fabulous grape. V/R Edward Lohmann

DonnaMom1

More than 1 year ago

I bought this book for my son-in-law and he loves it. It is a beautiful book as well as being an excellent reference on wines around the world. I intend to buy a copy for myself. It makes a great coffee table book too.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I bought two of these books for the wine lovers in the family and both families loved it.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Not only is this book written in Zraly's famous appealing breezy style and form, it is equally brilliant in it's top-notch professional wine education. This should be the first book you give to someone who is interested in wine but doesn't know where to begin. This book will help the novice LOADS, while simultaneously delighting and intriguing the aficionado. Kevin Zraly is truly the quinessential wine educator, without the ego that usually follows. A MUST for your collection.

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Kevin Mickle

More than 1 year ago

The book is great, content-wise, but the enhanced features do not run very well on my Nook Color. In fact, it seems to bog down the normal book experience, too. Pages turn slow, it hangs, etc. Would rather just own a hard-copy of this book. 5 stars for the book, 1 star for the enhancements equals 3 stars overall.

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fon-tana

More than 1 year ago

I enjoy reading this book. It is my first approach to the wine world and I found it very easy to understand!!!